Connecting State Expectations to Local Volunteer Programs

Connecting State Expectations to Local Volunteer Programs Brad Hasskamp ABE Policy & Operations Specialist Minnesota Department of Education

Start By Connecting Participants • Name • Role • Program & Organization • How did you get your start in ABE and volunteer management? • What questions do you have about volunteer program expectations? Introduce yourself to your neighbors:

Brad Hasskamp ABE Policy & Operations Specialist Minnesota Department of Education

Start By Connecting Participants • Started as a volunteer? Who? • Has less than one year experience in ABE? • Has less than one year experience in volunteer management? • Works in greater Minnesota? • Works for a school district?

What do we mean by “state?” Minnesota

Levels of Expectations • Program Federal • Organization • Consortium • State

Levels of Expectations Expectations Policies Laws Best Practices

State Expectations Policy Plays

Policy Play #1 Which volunteers are required by MDE-ABE policy to receive training? 2

Policy Play #1 All ABE volunteers who: • Directly tutor or instruct students; & • Generate ABE contact hours independent from a classroom teacher.

Policy Play #2 Volunteers starting before what date can be “grandfathered” in without pre-service training, according to MDE-ABE policy? 1

Policy Play #2 ABE volunteers who began volunteering prior to July 1, 2006, can be “grandfathered” in to your program.

Policy Play #3 How long is the training volunteers receive at the beginning of their service, according to MDE-ABE policy? 1

Policy Play #3 The pre-service training is hours 12

Policy Play #4 Do volunteer classroom assistants working under the direct supervision of a teacher need to be trained? 1

Policy Play #4 according to MDE-ABE policy but…

Policy Play #5 Do volunteers need the pre-service training if they are working with students when the teacher is not in the building? 1

Policy Play #5 according to MDE-ABE policy

Policy Play #6 Do volunteers need the pre-service training if they are responsible for a class of students and under only minimal teacher supervision? 1

Policy Play #7 Do volunteers need to be trained if they are taking a group of students to another room to work with them? 1

Policy Play #7 according to MDE-ABE policy as long as…

Policy Play #8 Do volunteers need to be trained if they are only doing student intakes? 1

Policy Play #9 Do volunteers need to be trained if they are only working with programming not receiving state or federal ABE funding? 1

Policy Play #9 according to MDE-ABE policy because…

Policy Play #10 Which 4 types of certification or experience can make an ESL volunteer exempt from the state’s pre-service training requirement? 4

Policy Play #10 ESL volunteer exemptions: • TEFL/TESL Certificate • College degree in ESL or Linguistics • Current Minnesota K-12 License • Over 400 hours of documentable ESL instruction (paid or volunteer) in comparable programs

Policy Play #11 Which 3 types of certification or experience can make an ABE volunteer exempt from the state’s pre-service training requirement? 3

Policy Play #11 ABE volunteer exemptions: • Current Minnesota K-12 License • Current Minnesota ABE License • Over 400 hours of documentable ABE instruction (paid or volunteer) in comparable programs

Policy Play discussion What topics are covered in your program’s volunteer onsite orientation?

Policy Play discussion Suggested onsite orientation topics: • Details on program procedures in testing and accountability • Risk management • Program policies • Program curriculum • First lessons

Policy Play #12 What 5 topics must be covered in a pre-service volunteer training, according to MDE-ABE policy? 5

Policy Play #12 Required Pre-Service Topics: • Initial & Ongoing Assessment • Goal Setting & Follow-Up • Working with Texts/Curriculum • Lesson Planning • Working with Adults

Policy Play #13 Volunteers must receive pre-service training within what time from their volunteer assignment, according to MDE-ABE policy? 1

Policy Play #13 Volunteers need to get trained within months 3

Policy Play #14 Where can volunteers get pre-service training, according to MDE-ABE policy? 3

Policy Play #14 • Minnesota Literacy Council’s Main Office • Local sites that bring in MLC trainers • Programs that get their training certified by the MLC & by the MDE-ABE office

Policy Play #15 Are volunteers required to receive ongoing training? 1

Policy Play discussion Programs cannot count ABE contact hours for students who have not made a level gain in 30 months. Some programs use volunteers to work with these students. Is this a best practice? How would you balance an effective use of resources and using the best resources for the students that need it most?

Policy Play #16 Volunteers must receive what amount of ongoing training, according to MDE-ABE policy? 1

Policy Play #16 Volunteers need hours of ongoing training annually 2

Policy Play #17 Can school districts use unlicensed volunteers and count ABE contact hours? 1

Policy Play #17 according to MN State Statute and MDE-ABE policy, BUT…

Policy Play #18 Does the MDE-ABE office require that volunteers get an official background check? 1

Policy Play Total Score 30

Why Volunteers? Some people think it is not possible to include volunteers in their ABE program. What would you tell them?

Why Volunteers? • Volunteers create more access to ABE services. • Volunteers can allow programs to offer more individualized service. • Volunteers bring unique expertise. • Volunteers generate more public support for your program. • Volunteer ABE programs can offer high quality instruction.

Connecting State Expectations to Local Volunteer Programs